News Release

MESA, Ariz. – From 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, February 18, the Arizona School of Health Sciences (ASHS) of A.T. Still University will co-sponsor and host a “Concussion in Student-Athletes” conference jointly sponsored by ASHS, the Brain Injury Association of Arizona, and the Arizona State University Athletic Department.

ASU Head Football Coach Dirk Koetter will kick-off the conference at 8 a.m. with his presentation, “A Coach’s Perspective on Concussion.”

The conference is designed for high school and college coaches, team physicians, athletic trainers, athletic directors, school counselors, school nurses, teachers, psychologists, parents of student athletes, and community and pediatric physicians who often treat young athletes. The conference is designated for eight hours of Category 1 credit continuing medical education toward the Physician’s Recognition Award of the American Medical Association.

“Over 60 percent of high school concussions go unreported due to the athlete not knowing the signs and symptoms associated with a concussion,” says Dr. Tamara McLeod, ATC, a presenter at the conference. “Unfortunately, many athletes, coaches, parents, and even some medical professionals are not aware of the effects and possible consequences of concussion. Our goal is to educate coaches, athletic directors, and medical professionals to the current strategies for assessment and management of concussive injuries.”

The featured conference speaker is Dr. Michael Collins, assistant director at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s Sports Concussion Program. UPMC currently manages sports concussion programs for the National Football League, National Hockey League, and more than 325 colleges, universities, and high schools nationwide. Dr. Collins is a clinical consultant to Major League Baseball, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and New Zealand Rugby Association.

Home of the world’s first osteopathic medical school, the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, A.T. Still University is at the forefront of whole person healthcare education. It boasts the nation’s newest – and Arizona’s first – dental school, the Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health, offers online health management training programs through its School of Health Management, and trains healthcare professionals in several allied health fields through the Arizona School of Health Sciences in Mesa, Arizona.